Tuesday, January 31, 2012

2001

2001 An Odyssey in filling this space.

Yesterday's post was post 2000! Today I keep counting on. It did cause me to stop and ponder. Was the blog doing what I wanted it to do? Was it something I still wanted to do? Was it habit, or need, or did it indeed serve some purpose. No, I'm not asking for confirmation from you all as readers, you are good at doing that along the way, and occasionally something will happen that makes me really glad I posted that day and that I had a blog. I think it's just that these milestones need to be marked somehow. And for me, since there's not going to be a party, I celebrate by pondering.

The blog has changed since it began. I had decided to blog for simply one year, as a means of documenting my life as a person with a disability and how that intersected with my life as a service provider. Well, that was well over a year ago, so the blog has clearly taken on it's own life and sometimes seems to have a personality a bit separate from my own. That's odd to say but I've spoken to other bloggers who say similar things.

So what do I want to achieve with the blog now? I wondered.

For awhile, maybe three years ago, I was really intentionally blogging because there had been a rumour gone round that I had passed away. Wanted to dispel that pretty quickly, dead can have a serious impact on one's ability to make a living. Then, after resurrection, there was a rumour gone round that I had retired. Like that's ever going to happen. So, I wrote to reassure those who wanted to book me for trainings or consultations that I was up and working and really, REALLY not retired. But, since then, I've blogged because there were things I wanted to say, and the blog was a good way of saying them.

Now I think I blog because I feel part of a small community here on Rolling Around In My Head. I check comments both to see what you think about what I wrote and to see who's hanging round. I find myself challenged some times, annoyed sometimes, moved sometimes, tickled sometimes ...just as I do with people in my non blog world. It's an odd relationship we all have here, but it is a relationship.

Joe asked if I was still eager to keep the blog going. I admitted to him that there were days where it was a struggle to write something, both because of being tired but also, sometimes, because nothing happened to write about. But then, usually, almost always, I find something to say. Other times, there will be a line up of topics, I've got three blog ideas lined up, so I'm good for this week.

Anyways, I just wanted to say that I'm here because you're here. So thanks! I like RAIMH's blog community and am really pleased to be part of it. Tomorrow we're two steps on the way to three thousand. Oh, my suddenly I got winded just from typing that!

My friend once told me that blogs have a three-year life span. After 3 years, they tend to die a natural death. I certainly found this to be true - around the 3 year mark I was longing to throw in the towel.

You are certainly 'blowing the curve', as they used to say in university!

Talking of community, I've never really noticed the little revolving world thing before. Today, after reading, I spotted it and saw that there were three folk looking right now, one in Toronto, and me and another in London (the UK one!)..... Same city, right across the ocean. I wonder if it's someone I know in real life?

When my son with Down syndrome was born, I really didn't have a clue about living with a disability. Most of the information I read was either written by "professionals" or other parents of children with DS. Even though much of it was good information, there was something missing. Nothing gave me a sense of being a person with a disability. I did realize it, but I couldn't just put myself in the shoes of someone with a disability and figure it out for myself, although I realized the need to understand that perspective and could see that the parent point of view was clearly not the same as a person with a disability.

I think one of the first things I read that "helped" was written by a young woman with muscular dystrophy writing about the negative aspects of the Jerry Lewis telethon.

For years, I had to search for that perspective; but now I can read your blog and the comments and link to other blogs written by people with disabilities and feel like I have a better overall understanding of living with a disability. Plus, it reminds me to listen better to a child who is verbal, but not quite as clear on more abstract topics - unless you listen carefully and work at asking the right questions.

So - I'm thankful for what you've done. I do hope you continue to write - but only as long as you feel it's what you're supposed to be doing.

I read all your posts, if sometimes I'm a day or two behind. I originally came to your site cos my son was born with DS....I've stayed cos you've given my plenty of things to think about over the last few years!Thanks for doing what you do and for letting me be a part of that!Love to you and Joe.....Linda ( LinMac in Dublin)

Another blog I regularly read recently had a posting talking about "the blog" that I think you might enjoy. For what it's worth, it was from Stephanie (Yarn Harlot) that I found Lene (The Seated View)!

I handle money for adults who lack the ability to make reasonable decisions regarding their finances and you often give me something to think about so I can consider if I am treating my clients with as much respect as I can.

I've read every post from Day One. I've printed them and read them to my staff; I've sent links to my family, friends and colleagues. My day isn't started off right unless you're part of it. I read on the weekends, too. Thank you for your efforts and pondering and everything!

two thousand candles.I’m eager to keep following the inspiring, moving, challenging, funny, entertaining, thought provoking, compelling blog that is your writing and the comments and readers. While you are up for writing it. No pressure kinda thing.In the meantime, i love what it does to/for my heart and my head and my understanding and my actions.L

I count on you to keep me thinking and becoming more aware of what is going on around me all the time. Glad you are still posting. Glad you have Joe, and that he has you. Glad there have been a few times you've written that you won't get much out on the blog that day -- I like walking away from my computer time and thinking about you taking care of yourself.

I've read all your posts, even if I didn't always comment. Most days, your blog is the first one I open in the morning. Then I come back throughout the day to see what comments other people have left. And if I need to miss a day or a few, I always come back and catch up later.

I hope you will have the enthusiasm to keep up for another 2000+ posts! Congrats!

It's only been a few months since I found RAIMH.On the first day I read your blog I was moved and inspired. I posted a link on my site for others to find you because I believe you write honest and from your heart. What you write makes us think, makes us aware and makes us pay attention. Above all, what you write makes us feel. Please keep writing. Voices like yours need to be heard.

Disability Pride

Dedication

About Me

Joe and I live in an apartment right smack dab in the center of Toronto. I have worked in the field of disability since graduating from university over 30 years ago. I became disabled a few years ago now and use a wheelchair when out in the world. For those interested, most of my books are available through www.diverse-city.com and if you are wishing to book a lecture or consultation you may do so by emailing daveandjoe@hotmail.com

Best Health Blog 2010

Requiem

There are those who have affected the course of my work and my career. I wish to remember them here:

Stella Young

Manuela Dalla Nora

Bob Clayton

Viktor Frankl

Robert Sovner

Marsha Forrest

Terry Haslam

John Money

Susan Tough

Sol Gordon

Winnifred Kempton

I believe that we should speak often and well of those who passed our way and whose lives gifted us. Here in this space I wish to memorialize those whose lived lives in service to those with disabilities.